Xplode Magazine

Xplode Magazine

10 things you didn’t know about bees

Bees are crucial to our environment and over recent years, the population of bees has dramatically decreased. There are almost 20,000 species of bees that have been discovered. However, the number of bees in the environment is declining rapidly due to pesticides being used in farming.

So, here are 10 facts you probably didn’t know about bees to help you appreciate them just that little bit more.

If bees become extinct, the human population might die out within four years.

Around 200-250 bees die per day.

One-third of our global food supply is pollinated by bees.

Up to 30% of bees die every year. This figure was 33% in 2016-2017 and 40% in 2015-2016.

Honey bees are responsible for £22.8 billion worth of crops.

Bees are amongst the hardest working species on the planet.

They are the only insect that produces a good eaten by humankind.

Worker honey bees are female and do all the work. Their lifespan is about six weeks.

During winter the bees feed on the honey they produce.

Bees are found in every continent except Antarctica.

You can help bees too by researching bee-friendly charities or planting bee-friendly plants.

Here are some other ways you can help

Leave the weeds in your garden when possible.

Buy locally sourced, raw honey.

In hot weather, leave a small water basin outside your house as the bees might be thirsty!